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Orange Dijon Grilled Chicken Salad with California Orange Vinaigrette

A vibrant grilled chicken salad featuring a tangy orange Dijon vinaigrette, perfect for a healthy California-style meal.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Chicken, Dinner, Grilling, Quick Meals, Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

Vinaigrette
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from California oranges)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil preferably from California
Chicken Marinade
  • 1 1/4 cups orange Dijon vinaigrette (from above)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Chicken and Corn
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
  • 2 ears corn on the cob, husked
  • 2-3 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Salad Assembly
  • 6 cups romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup orange Dijon vinaigrette (reserved) for dressing lettuce
  • 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups cucumber, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup Hass avocado, diced California-grown

Method
 

Make the Vinaigrette
  1. In a blender or food processor, combine orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, orange zest, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Blend until smooth.
  2. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil through the top opening in a thin, steady stream until the vinaigrette is creamy and emulsified.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Set aside 1 1/4 cups of the vinaigrette for the chicken marinade and refrigerate the remaining 1 1/4 cups to use later for the salad.
Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the reserved 1 1/4 cups vinaigrette with the additional 2 tablespoons orange juice, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon oregano, and optional red pepper flakes.
  2. Add the chicken breasts and turn to coat evenly. Let marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes; do not exceed 1 hour to avoid toughening the meat.
  3. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and discard the used marinade.
Grill the Chicken and Corn
  1. Preheat a grill, grill pan, or large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Place the chicken in a single layer on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing or cubing.
  3. While the chicken rests, rub the corn with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat, turning every 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until charred on all sides (about 8 minutes total). Let cool, then cut the kernels off the cob.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large bowl, toss the chopped romaine with about 1/4 cup of the reserved vinaigrette until evenly coated.
  2. Divide the dressed lettuce among 4-6 plates or place in a large serving bowl.
  3. Top the lettuce with sliced or cubed grilled chicken, grilled corn kernels, red onion slices, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and diced avocado.
  4. Drizzle the remaining vinaigrette over the salad and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 38gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 820mgFiber: 6gSugar: 18g

Notes

For a milder heat, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes. If you prefer a creamier dressing, add 1-2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt. This salad can be prepped ahead: store the undressed lettuce, grilled chicken, and corn separately, then assemble just before serving. Avoid over-marinating the chicken; the acidity can break down the meat. Serve with crusty sourdough bread for a complete California-inspired meal. Leftover vinaigrette keeps in the fridge for up to a week.

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